During her time at the University of Delaware—both as a graduate student and as the director of undergraduate studies in Art Conservation—Vicki Cassman, AS86M, touched the lives of many, leaving a lasting impression that they all continue to carry with them. So, when Cassman passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer, it was no surprise those who loved her and respected her work found a way to honor her memory with the creation of a fund in her name.

Once fully funded, the Vicki Cassman Undergraduate Award in Art Conservation will support undergraduate students with a passion for the conservation field and create opportunities for their research and professional development. To date, 331 people have contributed $48,253.10 to commemorate her life of generosity and to help continue the work she did overseeing the undergraduate program in Art Conservation, international studies and internship programs as she helped innumerable students discover their passions for preserving the world’s cultural heritage.

CELEBRATING CASSMAN: IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Cassman truly made an impact on so many through her personal and professional endeavors. Many who knew her have supported the fund to honor her and her lifelong work.

Here are just a few friends, classmates and family who shared their thoughts on Cassman and the fund created in her memory.

Kervin Zamora, AS15, BSPP16M: Vicki’s “second son”
Hanze University of Applied Science, Netherlands

Instructor

I first met Vicki back in 2010. Her son, Victor, was a freshman in my dorm at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware. I left a small rural town of Honduras and escaped poverty thanks to many beautiful people I have met along the way.

Every time she came to Saint Andrew’s, we would have lovely long talks, and so she knew that I was struggling to find a school that was willing to believe in me and provide me with the opportunity to grow further in life. When I shared with her that I had received a scholarship from the University of Delaware in the spring of 2011, she hugged me with much passion and happiness. UD had given me a scholarship, but the school was unable to provide housing for me. Vicki’s response was, “Victor’s room is open at our home. Grandma and I would love some company. Come live with us free of charge.”

In the five years I lived in her home she treated me like her son, and I learned that Vicki was an incredible human being in so many ways. Her role as a teacher and advisor at UD was something she took seriously. For Vicki, helping students was her passion and her joy. When international students came to visit, she would host them for dinners or even offer them a place to sleep. When students asked her for advice, it didn’t matter the hour of the night, she would make sure that they were helped. She would even help her advisees after their years at UD to make sure they reached their fullest potential.

Vicki has been one of those beautiful souls I have encountered throughout life. She always went above and beyond to make this world a better place. She always fought hate with love, division with unity and all types of injustice with engagement and education. Vicki wanted the best for others even if that meant that it was not the best for herself. Every day I try to be a better person to follow the wonderful life that Vicki lived.

I thank the University of Delaware for giving Vicki the opportunity and the space to do all the things that she loved and that made her incredibly happy in this world: people, art, and education. She would be so happy to learn UD carries on her legacy and her teachings with a fund in her name. Anything that helps others grow and find happiness is an excellent representation of our dear Vicki. I am thankful and happy that this fund exists to remember her, but also to make sure that in all of us, she and her message of love, unity and compassion towards others never dies.

Dan Rich: Colleague, Friend and Neighbor
retired UD professor of Political Science & International Relations
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Vicki as a scholar and teacher, but also as a person. Vicki was a very caring person and that was clear to everyone she met especially her students who worked with her.

She was an extraordinary teacher on campus as well as in life. My wife and I have great regard for her as a person and scholar. She was very unassuming, down to earth and had no sense of special privilege,  just appreciative to be a part of the University and to work with students.

Vicki also was extremely family-oriented, and had an elderly mother she cared for despite her own health challenges. In addition, she dedicated her time to give back to the greater community.

Making a gift to this fund in her name was a chance to support and recognize the contributions of a person like Vicki and all she represented in her life—the kind of person and work we want at the University.

Vicki truly supported student success, going above and beyond to do that. I hope the fund helps students be successful in ways Vicki supported at UD and throughout her personal life.

Nancy Purinton, AS86M: Classmate
Purinton Preservation, Inc., President
Vicki and I were classmates at Winterthur from 1982-85. She was clearly kind, intelligent and good humored upon first meeting her.

When Vicki found an interest in South American textiles she talked with me about classes I had taken at the University of Texas in pre-Columbian art and architecture. Soon she asked if I had a bibliography.  I gave her my collection of 3x5 cards (yes, that’s what we used) that made up my annotated bibliography and she was off! I was delighted to be able to help a fellow student in a serious, sincere, and determined effort.

I chose to support this fund in her name because it continues the flow of generosity that had been shown to me from other students and professors along the way. I was not close to Vicki after the years at Winterthur. I did, however, feel proud of her and her effort to extend the conservation program at the University of Delaware onto an international stage.  She recognized the need for students to see how conservators worked and lived in other countries.  Taking students to South America may have seemed a little crazy to some but I saw it as an essential move in a newly global society. Vicki displayed a clear understanding that personal experience moves people the most.